Graduate Assistant for Student Transition & Engagement

Coastal Carolina University; Conway (SC); On-site; USD 24,000 - 37,000; Part time

Job summary

Coastal Carolina University seeks a Graduate Assistant for Student Transition & Engagement to support transfer and continuing students through planning, assessment, and programming within the Office of Orientation, Transition, & Family Programs. You will help develop inclusive initiatives, manage events, and collaborate with campus partners to foster student belonging.

You will gain experience in higher education administration, marketing, and data-informed program evaluation while contributing

Qualifications

• Must be an active CCU student.
• Admission to and continued enrollment in a graduate program at Coastal Carolina University.
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team environment.
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive, student-centered campus community.

Responsibilities

• Assist with the planning, implementation, and assessment of transition initiatives for transfer and continuing students.
• Coordinate programming for National Transfer Student Week and Transfer Student Appreciation initiatives.
• Assist with the administration and engagement efforts of the Tau Sigma National Honor Society.
• Support planning and execution of class-year initiatives including sophomore, junior, senior, and transfer student engagement programs.
• Collaborate with campus partners to enhance transition experiences and connect students with university resources.
• Assist in developing new programming that supports student persistence, belonging, and engagement.
• Provide operational support for departmental signature programs including Teal Nation Welcome and New Student Convocation.
• Assist with event logistics including registration, staffing, room setup, vendor coordination, event materials, and participant communications.
• Serve as an on-site event manager during designated departmental programs, including occasional evenings and weekends.
• Assist professional staff with administrative projects and departmental initiatives as assigned.
• Develop marketing materials including social media content, digital signage, newsletters, email campaigns, and promotional materials.
• Maintain and update departmental webpages and communication platforms.
• Assist with program assessment by collecting attendance data, participant feedback, learning outcomes, and event evaluations.
• Prepare reports and recommendations that support continuous program improvement.
• Promote departmental programs through campus outreach and strategic communications.
• Assist with student employee engagement initiatives and recognition efforts as needed.

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Multitasking

Teamwork

Education

Active CCU student

Graduate program enrollment

Tools

Canva

Microsoft Office

Job description

Graduate Assistant for Student Transition & Engagement

Graduate Assistant for Student Transition & Engagement serves as an integral member of the Office of Orientation, Transition, & Family Programs (OTFP) by supporting the development, implementation, and assessment of comprehensive transition initiatives that foster student success from enrollment through graduation. This position assists with transfer student initiatives, class-year programming, signature university traditions, student engagement opportunities, and departmental assessment efforts while helping cultivate a welcoming and inclusive campus community.

This role provides practical experience in higher education administration through event planning, student leadership development, assessment, marketing and communications, and collaborative campus partnerships.

Primary Responsibilities

• Assist with the planning, implementation, and assessment of transition initiatives designed to support transfer students and continuing students throughout their collegiate experience.
• Coordinate programming related to National Transfer Student Week and Transfer Student Appreciation initiatives.
• Assist with the administration and engagement efforts of the Tau Sigma National Honor Society.
• Support the planning and execution of class-year initiatives including sophomore, junior, senior, and transfer student engagement programs.
• Collaborate with campus partners to enhance transition experiences and connect students with university resources.
• Assist in developing new programming that supports student persistence, belonging, and engagement.

Signature Programs & Departmental Operations

• Provide operational support for departmental signature programs including Teal Nation Welcome, New Student Convocation, Teal Nation Family Weekend, and additional Orientation, Transition, & Family Programs events.
• Assist with event logistics including registration, staffing, room setup, vendor coordination, event materials, and participant communications.
• Serve as an on-site event manager during designated departmental programs, including occasional evenings and weekends.
• Assist professional staff with administrative projects and departmental initiatives as assigned.

Communications, Assessment & Student Engagement

• Develop marketing materials including social media content, digital signage, newsletters, email campaigns, and promotional materials.
• Maintain and update departmental webpages and communication platforms.
• Assist with program assessment by collecting attendance data, participant feedback, learning outcomes, and event evaluations.
• Prepare reports and recommendations that support continuous program improvement.
• Promote departmental programs through campus outreach and strategic communications.
• Assist with student employee engagement initiatives and recognition efforts as needed.

Learning Outcomes

• Student development theory and transition programming
• Event planning and project management
• Assessment and data-informed decision making
• Leadership and supervision
• Marketing and strategic communications
• Campus collaboration and partnership development
• Inclusive excellence and student engagement
• Budget management and resource stewardship

Expectations

• Work an average of 20 hours per week during the academic year.
• Maintain professionalism and confidentiality in all interactions.
• Attend regular one-on-one supervision meetings and departmental staff meetings.
• Participate in departmental training and professional development opportunities.
• Support evening and weekend programs during peak operational periods.
• Represent the Office of Orientation, Transition, & Family Programs in a professional manner while serving students, families, faculty, staff, and campus partners.

Required Qualifications

• Must be an active CCU student.
• Admission to and continued enrollment in a graduate program at Coastal Carolina University.
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team environment.
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive, student-centered campus community.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in student affairs, orientation, transition, leadership, residence life, or student programming.
• Experience planning events or coordinating student engagement initiatives.
• Familiarity with social media management, Canva, Microsoft Office, and campus technology platforms.
• Experience with assessment, data collection, or program evaluation.

About the Office

The Office of Orientation, Transition, & Family Programs supports students throughout their university journey by creating intentional transition experiences that foster belonging, engagement, and student success. Through orientation, welcome initiatives, class-year programming, transfer support, family engagement, leadership development, and university traditions, OTFP empowers students to thrive both inside and outside the classroom.

Office Contact

Natasha Golden ([e-mail])